Frameless access panel

Abstract

A frameless access panel comprises a panel member having an inner surface and an outer surface, at least one fixed projection mounted to the inner surface of the planar metal sheet and being spaced from a first edge of the panel member, at least one moveable member configured to slide along a respective track adjacent the inner surface between a first position and a second position, the first position being spaced from a second edge of the panel member, the second edge being opposite the first edge, and the second position being spaced further from the second edge than the first position, the moveable member comprising a tab extending outwardly therefrom, and a respective biasing member providing a force for biasing the at least one moveable member towards the first position. The frameless access panel is generally non-combustible.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A frameless access panel fabricated of metal, the panel comprising:
 a panel member comprising a single planar metal sheet having an inner surface and an outer surface and being sized to cover an opening, the planar metal sheet having a plurality of folded edges, the folded edges defining a contact surface of the panel member; 
 at least one fixed projection fabricated of metal and fastened to the inner surface of the planar metal sheet and being spaced from a first edge of the panel member; 
 at least one non-combustible, metal moveable member configured to slide along a respective track adjacent the inner surface of the planar metal sheet between a first position and a second position, the first position being spaced from a second edge of the panel member, the second edge being opposite the first edge, and the second position being spaced further from the second edge than the first position, the moveable member comprising a tab extending outwardly therefrom; and 
 a respective biasing member providing a force for biasing the at least one moveable member towards the first position, 
 wherein the entirety of each of the panel member, the at least one fixed projection, the at least one moveable member, and the biasing member, is fabricated of metal, and 
 wherein the at least one fixed projection comprises a pin having a generally constant diameter along its length, the pin being directly fastened to said single planar metal sheet and extending therefrom, 
 the frameless access panel being generally non-combustible. 
 
     
     
       2. The frameless access panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a coil spring. 
     
     
       3. The frameless access panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the access panel comprises a single moveable member. 
     
     
       4. The frameless access panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the access panel comprises two moveable members. 
     
     
       5. The frameless access panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one moveable member comprises a number of moveable members, said number depending on one or both of the weight and the size of the access panel. 
     
     
       6. The frameless access panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel member is generally square in shape. 
     
     
       7. The frameless access panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the FSR of the access panel is from 0 to about 30. 
     
     
       8. The frameless access panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the SDC of the access panel is from 0 to about 30. 
     
     
       9. The frameless access panel of  claim 1 , wherein the pin has a gripping surface along its length for gripping a side of the opening to be covered by the single planar metal sheet. 
     
     
       10. A frameless access panel fabricated of metal, the panel comprising:
 a panel member comprising a single planar metal sheet having an inner surface and an outer surface and being sized to cover an opening, the planar metal sheet having a plurality of folded edges, the folded edges defining a contact surface of the panel member; 
 at least one fixed projection fabricated of metal and fastened to the inner surface of the planar metal sheet and being spaced from a first edge of the panel member; 
 at least one non-combustible, metal moveable member configured to slide along a respective track adjacent the inner surface of the planar metal sheet between a first position and a second position, the first position being spaced from a second edge of the panel member, the second edge being opposite the first edge, and the second position being spaced further from the second edge than the first position, the moveable member comprising a tab extending outwardly therefrom; and 
 a respective biasing member providing a force for biasing the at least one moveable member towards the first position, 
 wherein the entirety of each of the panel member, the at least one fixed projection, the at least one moveable member, and the biasing member, is fabricated of metal, and 
 wherein the at least one fixed projection comprises a pin having a generally constant diameter along its length, the pin being fastened to said single planar metal sheet and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, 
 the frameless access panel being generally non-combustible. 
 
     
     
       11. The frameless access panel according to  claim 10 , wherein the biasing member is a coil spring. 
     
     
       12. The frameless access panel according to  claim 10 , wherein the access panel comprises a single moveable member. 
     
     
       13. The frameless access panel according to  claim 10 , wherein the access panel comprises two moveable members. 
     
     
       14. The frameless access panel according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one moveable member comprises a number of moveable members, said number depending on one or both of the weight and the size of the access panel. 
     
     
       15. The frameless access panel according to  claim 10 , wherein the panel member is generally square in shape. 
     
     
       16. The frameless access panel according to  claim 10 , wherein the FSR of the access panel is from 0 to about 30. 
     
     
       17. The frameless access panel according to  claim 10 , wherein the SDC of the access panel is from 0 to about 30. 
     
     
       18. The frameless access panel of  claim 10 , wherein the pin has a gripping surface along its length for gripping a side of the opening to be covered by the single planar metal sheet.